This honest review breaks down what it’s really like to stay in an overwater bungalow in Belize, including the reality of Caribbean overwater options and how they compare to the dream destinations of Bora Bora and the Maldives. It’s a candid, experience-based guide to setting the right expectations and choosing the best overwater bungalow experience for your travel style.
An overwater bungalow is the ultimate dream vacation for many couples. It’s often the starting point when celebrating a milestone anniversary, birthday, or once-in-a-lifetime trip. Naturally, destinations like Bora Bora and the Maldives dominate the search results, but when time or budget doesn’t allow for a long-haul flight or ultra-luxury pricing, many travelers turn their attention to the Caribbean in search of a similar experience.
Here’s where expectations and reality can go in different directions.
Overwater bungalows in the Caribbean are limited, and while there are options that technically fit the category, they don’t all deliver the experience most people picture in their heads. One of the destinations is Belize, and I was excited to personally experience Thatch Caye, a private island boutique resort known for its overwater bungalows. Below is my honest recap of what it’s really like to stay there.
The Overall Vibe at Thatch Caye
Thatch Caye has a very rustic, beachy aesthetic, with lots of natural, exposed materials and a strong “barefoot culture.” The easygoing atmosphere lends itself to a barefoot lifestyle, from the island pathways to the lobby and even the dining areas. The atmosphere is intentionally casual and laid-back. This is not a polished, high-design luxury resort.
Disconnecting is a major theme here. WiFi is only available in the CoCo Lounge (the lobby and main bar), which is very much by design. The goal is to slow down, unplug, and lean into island life.
Food & Dining Experience
Meals are included and served three times daily in a communal, buffet-style setting. A chef prepares each meal, but the food itself is quite simple and straightforward. Think home-style dishes rather than elevated or gourmet cuisine. Guests dine together at shared tables, which creates an intentionally social environment and encourages conversation with other travelers.
If you’re a foodie or expect a curated dining experience, this is an important expectation to manage.
Alcohol offerings are limited to Belizean spirits and beers. You’ll find local rum, gin, vodka, and a few Belizean beers, but no international brands like Tito’s or Michelob.
The Overwater Bungalows: What to Know
The overwater bungalows themselves are intimate in size. Inside, you’ll find a small bedroom with a king bed, two wooden chairs, and a compact bathroom with a corner shower. The outdoor deck is more generously sized, with a hammock and chairs that make it easy to lounge and enjoy the view.
One important note: the water directly below the bungalows is not ideal for swimming. It’s shallow (around two feet deep) and contains a lot of seagrass, so the vision of jumping straight into crystal-clear water from your deck doesn’t quite pan out here. That said, the area works well for kayaking and paddleboarding, both of which are included.
Activities & Amenities
Included activities are fairly low key- kayaking, paddleboarding, and lawn games. Excursions and additional experiences are available for an extra charge, and most guests staying at Thatch Caye opt to partake in the off property excursions such as snorkeling and lobster fishing. In room amenities include water and basic bohemian style robes.
Who Thatch Caye Is (and Isn’t) For
This resort is best suited for adults who want to truly disconnect and don’t need much space or luxury polish. If you enjoy a very casual atmosphere, don’t mind walking everywhere barefoot in a swimsuit, and aren’t particularly focused on food or high-end amenities, Thatch Caye could be a good fit.
My Honest Take on Caribbean Overwater Bungalows
Having personally visited other overwater bungalow options in the Caribbean, including Palafitos in Mexico and Sandals in Jamaica, I’ve come to a clear conclusion: none have quite lived up to the iconic overwater bungalow experience most people are dreaming of.
While Palafitos and Sandals offer larger, more polished rooms than Thatch Caye, they felt less authentic to me and leaned into what I’d call a bit of a cheese factor. (The heart-shaped layout at Sandals is… a choice.) The water at Palafitos, much like Belize, was shallow and seaweed-heavy, quickly squashing the fantasy of swimming beneath your bungalow. Sandals does have better swimmable water, but again, the overall experience felt more themed than timeless.
If an overwater bungalow is truly your dream, my professional advice is this: save your PTO, save your money, and wait until you can make it to Bora Bora or the Maldives. That’s where the experience matches the vision.
Caribbean overwater bungalows can work for some travelers, but they often come with compromises, whether that’s rustic accommodations, water conditions that don’t match the postcard-perfect vision, or design choices that don’t feel particularly refined. Part of my job as a Travel Advisor is to be honest, discerning, and realistic. My clients are investing their time and money into their vacations, and they deserve clear expectations and thoughtful guidance. I’ll be visiting the overwater bungalows in Aruba in a few months and will be sharing my opinion then, but until further notice, my advice stands.
If you’re dreaming of an overwater bungalow vacation and want help choosing the right destination for your style, preferences, and budget, I’d be happy to help guide you to the best possible option.
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FAQs
1. Are overwater bungalows in Belize worth it?
Overwater bungalows in Belize can be worth it for travelers seeking a rustic, unplugged private island experience, but they don’t fully deliver the iconic overwater vision many people expect.
2. How do Caribbean overwater bungalows compare to Bora Bora or the Maldives?
Caribbean overwater bungalows often come with compromises, such as less swimmable water or simpler accommodations, while Bora Bora and the Maldives offer the crystal-clear water and luxury most travelers imagine.
3. What is the best Caribbean destination for overwater bungalows?
Options are limited, but Belize, Mexico, Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia and Aruba currently offer overwater-style accommodations, each with very different experiences and trade-offs.
4. Who are overwater bungalows in Belize best suited for?
They’re best for adults who value disconnecting, don’t need five-star polish, and are comfortable trading luxury amenities for a unique, laid-back private island stay.
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